A Review on Immunity Boosting by Herbal Medicines to Cure ...

SSR Inst. Int. J. Life Sci. ISSN (O): 2581-8740 | ISSN (P): 2581-8732

Jadoun et al., 2021

DOI: 10.21276/SSR-IIJLS.2021.7.6S.2

Copyright © 2015–2021| SSR-IIJLS by Society for Scientific Research under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International License Volume 07 | Issue 6S | Page 3

A Review on Immunity Boosting by Herbal Medicines to Cure and

Treatment of Covid-19 Affects

Sonalika Singh Jadoun1*, Pratap Chand Mali2, Nishant Kumar Choudhary3

1Associate Professor, Department of Medical and Allied Sciences, NIMS University, Shobha Nagar, Jaipur, India 2Professor, Reproductive Biomedicine and Natural Product Lab, Centre For advanced Studies, Department of Zoology,

University of Rajasthan, JLN Marg, Jaipur, India 3Research Scholar, Department of Medical and Allied Sciences, NIMS University, Shobha Nagar, Jaipur, India

*Address for Correspondence: Dr. Sonalika Singh Jadoun, Associate Professor, Department of Medical and Allied Sciences, NIMS University, Shobha Nagar, Delhi-Jaipur Expy., Jaipur-303121, India E-mail: [email protected]

Received: 26 Jun 2021/ Revised: 23 Aug 2021/ Accepted: 03 Oct 2021

ABSTRACT

The whole world is standing on the verse of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic scenario, which revealed the endurance of our current health care system. Moreover, to overcome the global menace and dwindle the infection; there is an exigency for social distancing and quarantines. Health is the greatest wealth for human mankind. So, there has been a great requirement in ways to boost our immune system and to build a strong defence mechanism against the deadly virus and diseases. Since ancient times, the use of medicinal plants, herbs and spices has been well known for their medicinal and healing properties. Therefore, the use of medicinal plants and herbs will play a critical role in boosting our immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite any side effects. It is also very important to consume supplements in the form of immune nutrients such as vitamin A, C, D, E, B-complex, Zinc and Copper that will support your body to fight against pathogens. We have been using different types of herbs which are traditionally being used by tribal and rural people of India as well as China and other developing countries in the form of ayurvedic formulations. This paper presents an analysis of popular immune-boosting medicinal plants and herbs and their effectiveness in the treatment of various ailments

Key-words: COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), Immunity boosting, Medicinal plants, Nutrients, Virus and pathogens

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, there is an increasing trend and demand

towards organic and green living worldwide. Herbal

products derived from plants or trees are found rich in

nutritional supplements aromatic products. Aroma

therapies and folk medicines are holistic healing

treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote

health and well-being [1,2]. There have been scientific

trials of different types of medicine worldwide;

chloroquine is recently used in the field of nanomedicine [3]. It is being investigated with nanoparticle uptake in

cells.

How to cite this article

Jadoun SS, Mali PC, Choudhary NC. A Review on Immunity Boosting by Herbal Medicines to Cure and Treatment of Covid-19 Affects. SSR Inst. Int. J. Life Sci., 2021; 7(6S): 3S-8S.

Access this article online

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The nanomedicine study can provide clues on

chloroquine-induced alteration of SARS COVID-19

cellular uptake. It is the approved drug for malaria and

also, one of the famous nanomedicines and its derivative

hydroxychloroquine is being used for COVID-19 patients.

Hydroxychloroquine shows effective results when it is

given with azithromycin. However, this approved drug is

not approved for COVID-19 treatment regardless of

some severe medication and complications. So, it cannot

be given to all COVID-19 patients because it can have

side effects on the patients, who have past health

problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney

injuries and liver problems [4,5].

Traditional herbal medicines are naturally occurring;

plant-derived substances with minimal or no industrial

processing, that have been used to treat illness within

local or regional healing practices, which are getting

significant attention in global health debates. In China,

traditional herbal medicine played a prominent role in

Review Article

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Jadoun et al., 2021

DOI: 10.21276/SSR-IIJLS.2021.7.6S.2


the strategy to contain and treat severe acute

respiratory syndrome (SARS) [6-8]. The market for

medicinal plants in India stood at ₹ 4.2 billion (US$ 56.6

million) in 2019 and is expected to increase at a CAGR

38.5% to ₹ 14 billion (US$ 188.6 million) by 2026. The

total world herbal trade is currently assessed at US$ 120

billion [9-12]. As efforts are underway to find treatment for

the ailments; caution must be taken against

misinformation, especially on social media, about the

effectiveness of certain remedies. Many plants and

substances are being proposed without the basic

information and evidence of quality, safety and efficacy.

The use of certain products to treat such ailments, which

have not been robustly investigated can put people's

lives in danger, giving a false sense of security and

distracting them such as, from hand washing and

physical distancing which are cardinal in COVID-19

prevention, and may also increase self-medication and

the risk to patient safety [13-15].

Natural products and herbal medicine have a long track

record in treating respiratory infections and many have

been approved as drugs or over-the-counter food

additives [16]. Furthermore, people in the community and

researchers are trying to find the best way to cure or

prevent the disease, including using herbal medicine.

Since the immune system of patients plays an essential

role during infection, herbal medicine which has an

immunomodulatory effect could have the potential as a

preventive measure and even therapeutic agent for

patients with COVID-19 infection [17]. A recent trend in

the community is the consumption of herbal medicines

containing certain active compounds, which have

antimicrobial or antiviral, anti-inflammatory and

immune-stimulatory activities such as Echinacea,

Quinine and Curcumin [18-20]. Ashwagandha (Withania

somnifera) [21], Black pepper (Piper nigrum), Dalchini

(Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Javitri (Myristica fragrans),

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), the smoke of Ajwain

(Trachyspermum ammi) is proved to be the best

bronchodilator during Covid infection, Amalaki

(Phyllanthus emblica), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia),

Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale),

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Aloe (Aloe barbadensis) are

reported effective treatment to check the viral loads.

Ginger is also good for throat infection, as compounds

are assumed to have the capacity to modulate the

immune response and therefore, they are believed to

have beneficial effects on preventing or treating.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), for example, has been used

traditionally by many countries in Asia as a drug or

supplement because of its antioxidant, anti-

inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-cancer, and anti-

microbial effects [22-25]. Many herbal products contain an

active compound, which acts as an antiviral and

immuno-stimulator.

Indian spices and herbal extracts have been used to

ameliorate many diseases as conventional medicines.

Several plant extracts were found to inhibit the

replication of viruses effectively, while the antibacterial

and antifungal properties of aromatic herbs, medicinal

plants, and volatile oils are established, there is currently

insufficient scientific evidence to determine the non-

toxic and efficient methods of using them as antiviral

treatments. They suppress different developments in the

viral replication cycle, and thus little to no viral progeny

is produced. Small doses of these medications that do

not harm the host cell can function. Unfortunately,

resistance to these specific drugs can evolve by

replicating viruses. Herbal antiviral drugs have been

understudied to pesticides. Some experimental studies,

however, have started to more precisely test their

efficacy. Antiviral activities against such viruses have

been demonstrated by medicinal plants and their

isolated components. Suppression of viral replication is

mainly the mechanism of action [26-28].

Research concept- Ayurvedic herbs are used locally and

help enhance the immunity of the body and also

safeguard by preventing infection since the immune

system plays an essential and primary role in the defence

against this novel viral infection (Fig. 1). [6,11] Several

medicinal plants are used as potential therapeutic agents

against various ailments. Indian Ayurveda practitioners

suggest a few important plants which supply strong

immunity in the human body. Some important herbal

medicinal plants are: Ashwagandha (W. somnifera Dunal) [21], Turmeric (C. longa L.) [22], Neem (A. indica A. Juss)[23],

Drumstick (M. oleifera Lam.) [29], Amalaki (E. officinalis

Gaertn.) [30], Kutki (P. kurroa Royle ex Benth) [31], Tulsi (O.

sanctum L.) [32], Ginger (Z. officinale Roscoe) [33], Black

pepper (P. nigrum L.) [34], Guduchi (T. cordifolia) [35],

Liquorice (G. glabra L.) [36], Harsingar (Nyctanthes arbor-

tristis L.) [37], Satavar (A. racemosus Willd) [38], Cinnamon

(C. zeylanicum Blume) [39], Aloe (A. barbadensis Mill),

Almond (P. amygdalus) [40,41] and Broccoli (B. oleracea L).


Jadoun et al., 2021

DOI: 10.21276/SSR-IIJLS.2021.7.6S.2


Fig. 1: Herbs Used for Boost Immunity and Check Viral Infection

Review of literature- Tulsi is considered a holy plant in

Ayurveda and is available everywhere in India. The plant

is also known as holy basil and belongs to the family

Lamiaceae. The leaves contain mainly Ursolic acid

(C30H48O3) and Apigenin (C15H10O5) and in addition, it has

oil that contains monoterpene 1,8-cineole, and eugenol.

The leaves show an immune-modulatory effect by an

increase in IFN-Y, IL-4, T-helper cells, NK cells and

enhance phagocytic activity and the phagocytic index.

The oil also boosts immunity by mediated GABAergic

pathways and by cell-mediated and humoral immunity.

Immunomodulatory activity of an aqueous leaf extract of

Ocimum sanctum was evaluated by in-vitro and in-vivo

methods using delayed-type hypersensitivity, humoral

antibody titer, total leucocyte count and differential

leucocyte count models. Recently, the plant is the prime

focus in COVID-19 treatment as an antiviral agent. The

study revealed the antiviral activity of leaves (crude

extract, terpenoid and polyphenol) against the H9N2

virus using an in ovo model and showed potent antiviral

efficacy. In another study, the antiviral activity of

different extracts of Tulsi (O. sanctum) was confirmed

against orthomyxovirus and paramyxovirus using in vitro

cytotoxicity assay.

A study last year revealed that phytochemicals from Tulsi

(Ocimum sanctum) potentially inhibit Mpro (main

protease) of SARS-CoV-2 using molecular docking [911].

The drumstick plant is found in the family- Moringaceae

and is distributed throughout India. Its leaves, flowers

and fruits have significant immunomodulatory activity.

The leaves contain mainly Niaziminin A and Niaziminin B,

and the flower contains mainly bioactive agents such as

Vitamin-A, a nutrient that can help to boost the immune

system and protect overall vision health. The flowers also

contain calcium to strengthen bones, vitamin C to reduce

inflammation, and some potassium, iron and amino

acids. The root contains alkaloids like Isopelletierine,

Anaferine, Cuseohygrine, Anahygrine, Steroidal lactones,

Withanolides, Withaferins and Saponins. Ashwagandha

(Withania somnifera) is an evergreen shrub found in

India. It is in the Solanaceae family and is a master herb

in ayurvedic medicine [21].

CONCLUSIONS

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are widely

regarded as a constant source of safe and effective

medicines with the potential to develop constituents

found in the plants into newer drugs and their active role


Jadoun et al., 2021

DOI: 10.21276/SSR-IIJLS.2021.7.6S.2


in combating COVID-19 infections and strengthening

immunities. The most important guidelines

recommended by AYUSH, India during home quarantine

is outlined. The study resulted in documenting;

Euphorbiaceous as the leading family with the highest

proportion of medicinal plants. Roots were found to be

the most frequently used plant parts for the preparation

of traditional remedies. Most medicinal plants in the

study area were harvested from the wild. The

phytochemical and pharmacological investigation is

recommended with due consideration to frequently used

medicinal plants.

The present review discussed seventeen essential

“Indian plants” and their main Phyto-constituents. Thus,

it will play a crucial role in fostering the immune

response to a wide range of diseases in future

irrespective of any side effects.

CONTRIBUTION OF AUTHORS

Research Concept- Dr. Sonalika Singh Jadoun, Dr. Pratap

Chand Mali and Nishant Kumar Choudhary

Research Design- Dr. Sonalika Singh Jadoun

Supervision- Dr. Meera Agarwal

Materials- Dr. Sonalika Singh Jadoun, Dr. Pratap Chand

Mali and Nishant Kumar Choudhary

Data Collection- Dr. Sonalika Singh Jadoun

Data Analysis and Interpretation- Dr. Sonalika Singh

Jadoun

Literature Search- Dr. Sonalika Singh Jadoun, Nishant

Kumar Choudhary and Palak Sharma

Writing Article- Nishant Kumar Choudhary

Critical Review- Dr. Sonalika Singh Jadoun, Dr. Pratap

Chand Mali and Nishant Kumar Choudhary

Article Editing- Nishant Kumar Choudhary

Final Approval- Dr. Sonalika Singh Jadoun

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